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UN System Framework for Action on Equality

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Rising inequalities across the world have become a defining challenge of our time. Unless we take action to reverse this trend, inequalities will further deepen divides, stirring social unrest, undermining social progress and threatening political and economic stability. This could imperil all pillars of the work of the United Nations from development to human rights to peace and security. Development will only be sustainable if it is also more equitable. Joint action is needed now. The implementation of the 2030 Agenda must focus on eliminating discrimination and reducing inequalities if it is to meet its promise to "leave no one behind".

This publication therefore aims to establish a common understanding of the challenge of rising inequalities and pervasive discrimination and sets out a United Nations system-wide Shared Framework for Action for a more coordinated and integrated approach to combatting inequalities and discrimination at national, regional and global levels in UN support to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. It identifies a comprehensive package of policies and programme support to reduce inequalities and dismantle discrimination; promotes common methodologies and tools for analysis and monitoring that systematically integrate inequalities, discrimination and equity issues in SDG monitoring; and advocates for strengthened accountability for results on reducing inequalities to ensure no one is left behind.

With widespread adoption, the Framework will help the organizations of the United Nations system, each utilizing their unique expertise, to work in a more strategic, coordinated and integrated way towards comprehensive and coherent action to combat inequalities at all levels.

During the development of the Framework, HLCP member entities were invited to highlight ways in which they are contributing to combatting inequalities and discrimination, individually and in partnership with others. The brief descriptions provide a flavor of the diversity of work already taking place across the UN system. The contributions have been compiled under the following themes: